Iran says it downed US drone near Strait of Hormuz
08:56, 15/07/2026, WednesdayU: Update: 09:11, 15/07/2026, Wednesday
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Iran's military said on Tuesday that it shot down a US drone near Bandar Abbas, as US Central Command confirmed conducting a new wave of strikes on military targets across the Islamic Republic amid escalating tensions over the strategic Strait of Hormuz and Washington's threats to assume control of the waterway.
The Iranian army said on Tuesday that its air defenses destroyed a US drone near Bandar Abbas, as the US military confirmed new strikes on targets across Iran amid escalating tensions over the Strait of Hormuz.
Iranian air defense claim
In a statement on state broadcaster IRIB, the Iranian army said the unmanned aircraft was intercepted early Tuesday. "The drone was hit and destroyed," it said. Iranian media had earlier reported explosions west of the city.
American military operations
US Central Command said it struck military installations in Bushehr, Chah Bahar, Jask, Konarak, Abu Musa and Bandar Abbas. Washington has not commented on Tehran's drone claim. The operations come as tensions flare over the Strait of Hormuz — a vital chokepoint for global energy shipments.
Strategic waterway tensions
US President Donald Trump said Monday that Washington would likely assume control of the strait and expected other nations to pay for protection. Iran's military vowed it will not allow the US to "interfere" in the waterway's management, according to state media. The exchanges persist despite a Pakistani-mediated memorandum aimed at ending the conflict.